Doctorsanddietitianshave spoken out against the keto diet, as there are concerns that it can lead to negative health consequences over time. Some of these consequences includereduced heart health, digestive issues and nutritional deficiencies. New findings tell us we may be able to add “decline in bone health” to the list.
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Previous studies have associated low-carb, high-fat diets withimpaired bone growth, reduced bone mineral content, slower fracture healing andincreased bone loss in children. However, most of these studies have occurred over a period of 24 hours to several days, and this study is the first to test the potential long-term effects of the keto diet on bone health.
The results showed that following a ketogenic diet for just a few weeks led to a decrease in markers for bone metabolism and formation and an increase in markers of bone breakdown. The high-carb dieters didn’t experience any change in these markers, on average.
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Those in the keto diet group who went through further tests to see if bone health would improve after restoring carbohydrate availability generally only saw partial recovery. While the marker for bone breakdown returned back to normal, markers of bone formation and metabolism did not. The authors of this study say their research identified “clear and consistent effects on bone metabolism at rest and in response to exercise” which warrant for further study.
The Bottom Line
This study gives us yet another reason to be cautious of adopting the keto diet—even for a “quick fix.” We should be hesitant to engage in any type of restrictive diet, even for short periods of time, as it can lead to yo-yo dieting and negatively affect your health.
Additionally, any diet that asks you to eliminate or severely restrict healthy foods like fruit, whole grains, beans and starchy vegetables should be a red flag. It could be worth reaching out to a registered dietitian to find a healthy eating plan that allows for more wiggle room and balance of macronutrients.
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